Dream11 IPL 2020: MS Dhoni concedes he's not batted for a while as Rajasthan beats Chennai

Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni revealed why he decided to bat lower down order during Dream11 IPL 2020 match against Rajasthan at Sharjah Cricket Stium on Tuesday. inaugural edition's champions got better of Dhoni & co. by 16 runs. MS Dhoni h come out to bat at number six in this match. He scored a 17-ball unbeaten 29 and even though 'Captain Cool' mand to hit three consecutive maximums in final over, it was too late by n as three-time winners could only salv pride. 

'Wanted to try different things': MS Dhoni

"With 217 on board, we needed a very good start which was t case. Steve and Samson batted very well. Need to give credit to ir bowlers. Once you've seen first innings, you kw length to bowl. ir spinners did well to bowl away from batsman. Our spinners me error to bowl too full. If we would've maybe restricted m to 200, it would've been a good game. I haven't batted for a long time. 14-day quarantine doesn't help.  Also wanted to try different things, give opportunities to Sam. Have opportunity to try different things. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to your strengths. Faf apted very well. Something batsmen will do, neglect square leg and go more towards long-on and long-off", said Dhoni during post-match interview.

His opposite number Steve Smith heaped praise on Sanju Samson and Jofra Archer who batted brilliantly to help 2008 winners post a mammoth total.

"I think last surge from Jofra was an incredible bit of hitting. Sanju Samson, looked like everything he hit went for six. MS smacked a few in end, and Faf got going too, but nice to get a W in front of RRs. Sanju was incredible, and all I h to do was give him strike. This should give him a lot of confidence. Jos is a quality player and we'll see what happens when he comes back. Hard to take opening slot away from someone like him. It was important for bowlers to avoid straight hits, and it was important to make him hit back of a length. leg-spinners were very good with ir lengths - good on m. Shreyas Gopal does what he does pretty well. Dubai is a lot bigger, and I haven't trained re, I just got here. So hopefully boys are rey for it. Looking forward to it", Rajasthan skipper said.

Sanju Samson, who was judged Man of Match revealed how he succeeded in making his bat do talking and at same time also said that he is open to don gloves if at all an opportunity comes his way.

"My game plan is stand and deliver. If it's in arc I go for it, and it's very important to keep intent to hit ball if it's re to be hit. I've been working hard on my fitness, diet, and training, and on my strength, because my game relies a lot on power hitting. I think range-hitting is what game demands in this generation. I h time to work out in se 5 months, and I think I've increased that ability. Everyone likes to keep wickets and one likes running around, but it's up to coach. We are happy to bring smiles on fans' faces and we hope to continue doing so", he said. 

RE: IPL 2020: Rajasthan Kickstart Campaign With A Victory, Beats Chennai By 16 Runs